I set out to study which jobs should be done by AI – and found a very human answer

🎯 Impact Sentiment: Concerning

📋 Summary

• The most meaningful parts of jobs like nursing, teaching, and therapy come from genuine human connection—something AI can't replicate, according to years of research and practitioners' personal stories.
• These “connective labor” roles are increasingly threatened by efficiency drives, data collection, and automation, risking the loss of benefits like dignity, trust, and personal growth for both workers and those they serve.
• Human interactions build more than just outcomes—they shape individual self-worth, community bonds, and the sense of belonging, none of which can be measured or replaced by algorithms.
• The article argues strongly for protecting these human-centered roles and urges society to draw clear lines on where AI belongs, especially when it comes to jobs that depend on making people feel seen and valued.

💡 JR Insights

• 💼 Implication: If we let AI muscle into roles that hinge on emotional presence and recognition, we risk hollowing out some of the most meaningful aspects of work and weakening vital social bonds.
• 🚨 Risk: Blindly pushing AI into caregiving, teaching, or counseling jobs could lead to alienation, decreased well-being, and a public backlash grounded in the sense that people are disposable or unseen.
• ✨ Takeaway: Jobs that depend on genuine human connection aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re central to individual and social health. Workers in these fields should advocate for their value, and policymakers need to prioritize protecting “connective labor” from being automated away.